Dells Project 2020

Lizett Hernandez
Vivian Nguyen
Phillip Plymell
Alex Trevizo

Table of Contents
Abstract
Section I: An Introduction to Project 2020
A. Introduction
B. School Profile at South Oak Cliff High School
C. Standardized Test Scores
D. Household Finances at South Oak Cliff High School
E. Conclusion of Section I
Section II: Mission and Values
Section IV: Logistics of Project 2020
Section III: Partnerships
A. Dallas Independent School District
B. Education is Freedom and Community in the Schools
C. Dallas County Community College District
D. University of Texas at Dallas
Section IV: Classroom Profile
Section V: Budget
A. Expense Breakdown
B. Subsidized Costs
C. Scholarships
Works Cited

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Abstract
In todays society, a high school degree is often overlooked because most employers expect
everyone they hire to have a certain level of higher level of education. This has cast a spotlight
on some particular high schools, and even school districts, for their low graduation rates.
Usually, there are several factors that contribute to a student not graduating from high school, but
none larger than the students accessibility to resources.
Dallas Independent School District has worked to slowly improve their graduation rates over the
years, but one school in particular has not seen much improvement. Approximately 81 percent of
the students at South Oak Cliff High School are deemed at-risk to not graduate. This number
strongly correlates to the socioeconomic makeup of their families with nearly 90 percent of the
student population considered to be living in a household on the lowest end of the socioeconomic
scale. Dells Project 2020 will give the students of South Oak Cliff the resources they need to
graduate high school, and, not only prepare, but encourage these students to further their
education.
Project 2020 is an initiative that focuses on improving standardized testing scores and graduation
retention rates for the upcoming freshman class of South Oak Cliff H.S., as well as guiding them
through the process of college admissions and securing financial aid. Our mission is to provide a
stimulating educational environment that advocates high expectations for success through
reinforced instruction that promotes professional growth.
This enterprise will be very cost efficient, with South Oak Cliff H.S. offering classrooms
available after school, laptops being donated by Dell, and volunteers from the University of
Texas at Dallas to help lead the program. The cost of the program will largely consist of the
necessary college preparatory books and office supplies.
Education is necessary in order to succeed in the world we live in, but sadly it is not universally
made a priority for the youth. Project 2020 will attempt to rectify the major lack of resources
available to South Oak Cliff High School in hopes that their students will one day have the
opportunity to improve their socioeconomic status and in turn perpetuate the cycle of education
by providing the necessary resources for their family.

Section I: An Introduction to Project 2020

A. Introduction
Project 2020 was created to assist the students of South Oak Cliff High School in improving their
academics. South Oak Cliff is located in the south side of Dallas, Texas. Parts of Oak Cliff
consist of one of the most impoverished areas in Dallas. South Oak Cliff High School is under
sourced and the school itself, is in shambles. Students academic performance correlates to their
learning environment, and with the school falling apart, their academics will follow suit.
Recently, the Dallas Independent School District received $1.6 billion towards improvements
and renovations across the school district. Fortunately, $13 million will go towards South Oak
Cliff. With the school itself being improved, the education system needs to improve as well.
Even though a students learning environment is linked to their success, their education is also
pertinent as well.

B. School Profile at South Oak Cliff High School

Every year, the students of South Oak Cliff struggle with their academics. Their statistics have
fallen within the previous years. Only two-thirds of the teachers who were employed in the
previous school year, decided to return to South Oak Cliff this year. The district has been having
to hire a third of the schools teachers every year. This is due to the working conditions and
retention rates. South Oak Cliff has continued to struggle year by year and there has been no help
for these children to improve. In the current school year, over 81 percent of the students were
considered at-risk. These students were projects to graduate later than their peers or ultimately
drop out, in which almost seventy percent of the students fell within the latter. Only a little more
than four percent of the students at South Oak Cliff were considered gifted and talented. The rest
of the students, which is about fourteen percent, are considered satisfactory in their academics.
The amount of students who are at-risk continues to increase every year and this links to their
family environment.

C. Standardized Test Scores

Standardized testing is a huge problem for the students at South Oak Cliff High School. A large
part of determining the educational status of a school is the students test scores compared to the
average for the district. At South Oak Cliff High School, the students test scores for the PSAT,
SAT, ACT, AP Exams, and STAAR fall well below the district average.

In the recent school year, out of all the students who took the PSAT, only eight percent were
college ready in critical reading. The goal for the school to reach was about 33%. These students
also averaged at 7% for mathematics and a mere 5% for writin. The goals is 33% and 30%
respectively. The PSAT is a crucial test for these students since most of these students come
from low socioeconomic statuses, students who score in the top percentile are eligible for
qualification in the National Merit Program as well as the Commended Program if their scores
fall right at the 96th percentile. These programs provide students with recognition from colleges
and extra scholarship opportunities.

Students struggled even more with the SATs and ACTs. The SATs and ACTs are the most
important tests for colleges. These tests are evaluated and used for college admissions throughout
the nation. In the 2015 school year, out of all the students at South Oak Cliff who took either the
SATs or ACTs, only 2% of the test takers were deemed college ready with the goal being at
40%. The 2% of the test takers made the minimum score needed to be considered college ready.
Most colleges require a much higher score to be even considered in the competitive pool.

As for advanced placement, or AP, courses, none of the students who took any of the AP tests
qualified. The average test score was a little over a one in which a score of at least a three would
be considered qualifying. The AP exams measures who qualified the students are in mastering
the course material of a particular subject over the school year. AP Exams are important for
colleges because students can use these scores to credit out of the respective college courses.

Even with the STAAR test, the fundamental test that students have to take in order to assess their
knowledge and move on to the following grade, students struggled. Many of the students
received extremely low scores for all subjects. Only a handful of students received passing
scores with an average of 15% in English, 5% in algebra I, 25% in biology, and 29% percent in
U.S. history.

D. Household Finances at South Oak Cliff High School

A students academics highly correlates to their familys socioeconomic status. Most of the
students at South Oak Cliff High School come from a lower socioeconomic family. A persons
socioeconomic status is measured using three main variables; education, income, and occupation.
Students who come from lower socioeconomic status have been proven to develop academic
skills much more slowly than their peers due to the lack of a learning environment growing up.
Since most of these students parents are either illiterate or limited in education, the students
were not exposed to academics. Most of these students educations come from the public school
system; their home life rarely exhibits learning. This problem is due to the parents inability to
provide for these students academically. The parents are not able to help their children with their
school work. They lacked the finances to supply these kids with books, school supplies, and
computers to enhance their learning. These students were unable to attend after school tutoring
program to further help them in school. Over time, these students continue to fall behind in
school and their grades expose this fact.
E. Conclusion of Section I
Based on these statistics, it is evident that these students are not only struggling with their day to
day classes, but with the standardized tests as well. Many of these students are falling behind
compared to their peers. Due to these facts, South Oak Cliff High School was chosen for Project
2020. Many more students at South Oak Cliff are considered at-risk than the surrounding schools
in the Dallas Independent School District. A high percentage of these students come from low
socioeconomic families as well.
Project 2020 is here to provide these students with the necessary coursework and attention to
improve these students study habits and education. With the help Project 2020 will provide, the
students at South Oak Cliff High School will have a chance to move onto higher education and
to one day improve their socioeconomic statuses as well.

Section II: Mission, Values, and Goals

The vision of Project 2020 is to enhance the living conditions in which this community currently
lives in. This project believes that in order to achieve this; we will need to start with the children.
South Oak Cliff High School has some of the lowest test grades. Project 2020 wants to change
the future of not only these kids, but for future generations to come. The plan to improve the
retention rate, increase graduations rates and promote college enrollment. Many of these children
do not have the chance to graduate because they do not have the guidance necessary to succeed.
The graduation rates would increase with the more students we are able to retain.

Section III. Logistics of Project 2020

Students at South Oak Cliff High School are not giving the
tools necessary to go to college. Project 2020 plans to have
every student involved in our program to apply for college.
They will be prepared and coached throughout their high
school sophomore and junior years. There will be people
available to help the students tour campuses, fill out
financial aid, guide through the application process and
motivate them along the way.
A. College Prep Classes
Applying for college can be daunting, Project 2020 commits to helping anyone that needs the
help. Receiving a full 4-year scholarship should be everyones goal. Project 2020 will be helping
students with FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Scholarships will also be
provided as motivation. Every student deserves to feel as if there is someone in his or her corner.
There will be field trips planned to take students on campus tours. Each student will have the
opportunity to apply to the college of their choice and not feel lost in the process. There will also
be workshops to teach students how to write like professionals, talk to adults and dress for
college interviews.
B. SAT/ACT Tutoring
School records indicate that most of their students do not take the SAT or ACT. The SAT is
made up of two components, Section 1 Reading/Writing and Section 2 Math. Students have 3
hours plus 50 minutes for the Essay. They focus on the knowledge, skills, and understandings
that research has identified as most important for college and career readiness and success.
Project 2020 will change that; the goal is to implement more classes that will allow students to
get extra help for the SATs. We will encourage our students to get enrolled into these classes.
Our tutors will be available to help our students with SAT/ACT. It has been planned into our
budget to get prep books and laptops necessary to study the material.
C. Advance Placement Reviews
AP reviews will be hosted the whole month of January. We would like to breakdown the
material so that students do not become overwhelmed with information. Tutors will be helping
students achieve in the following subjects; Math, English, History, and Writing. They will
perform several mock exams and they will be tested repeatedly until they feel comfortable with
the information. This particular exams test students on how well the know the material, the score
is from 1 to 5. The highest score a student can achieve is 5- the students that join Project 2020
will guided by college students who are advanced in their subject.

Section IV: Partnerships

Project 2020 will partner with six organizations. The six organizations are: Dallas Independent
School District, Education is Freedom, Community in the Schools, Dallas County Community
College District, and the University of Texas at Dallas; these organizations will play an
important role in the success of the program.
A. Dallas Independent School District

The Dallas Independent School District will work with Project 2020 to set goals, objectives and
action plans for the students. Setting this criteria will allow the program to measure the progress
of student prosper on a semester by semester basis. In addition, this will also give the program an
opportunity to make adjustments to the curriculum based on the results received on a semester
basis. Furthermore, DISD will assist the program in building a communication channel for the
parents. DISD will provide parent enrichment to help ensure the students have the support they
need at home to succeed in the program.
B. Education is Freedom and Community in the Schools

Education is Freedom and Community in the Schools are community partners that currently
provide student enrichment to DISD students. Project 2020 will partner with these non-profit
organizations to collaborate on tutoring and college prep courses.
C. Dallas County Community College District

Dallas County Community College District will also work closely with the program. DCCCD
employees will guide students with college, FAFSA and scholarship applications. In addition,
DCCCD will work to enroll students for Dual Credit Courses that will allow the students to earn
college credit hours during the high school education.
D. University of Texas at Dallas

University of Texas at Dallas will also offer the students guidance on college, FAFSA and
scholarship application. The university will guide students to prepare them on transition of a high
school student to a freshman college student. UTD will be offer South Oak Cliff students an
opportunity to shadow current college students for a day; this will create a real life experience for
the high school students.

Section V: Classroom Profile

All Project 2020 partners will provide volunteers to the program. Project 2020 projects the
program will need 24 volunteers a day; volunteers will work for an approximate of 2 hours a day.
24 volunteers a day will allow the program to tutor approximately 210 students a day; half of the
students projected to participate in the program. There will be six classrooms with two tutors per
classroom; 17:1 student tutor ratio.
Students will be grouped into two groups: Group A and Group B. Each group will attend tutoring
twice a week. Group A will have tutoring on Monday and Wednesdays and Group B will have
tutoring on Tuesday and Thursdays. After regular school hours students will move to the
cafeteria for a 15-minute break provided with a snack that allows the students to unwind and take
a moment to settle into the tutoring session. Students will then be in tutoring for about an hour
and a half for each session and then released for the day.
Tutoring Schedule Per Day
Group

Group A
Group B

Tutoring Hours
430p-615p
430p-615p

# Tutors
24
24

# Classrooms
6
6

# of Students
35
35

Section VI: Budget

A. Expense Breakdown
Project 2020 is estimated to cost $44,000 in its entirety. Approximately 420 students are
projected to enroll in the program, so we have calculated Usage/consumption for each of the
required materials has been calculated in order to maintain an accurate project budget. The
following table will detail how this money will be allocated.

Allocation

Price

Amount

Total

Pens (per 60)

$10

14

$100

SAT Prep Book

$15

ACT Prep Book

$15

Pencils (per 72)

Notebooks

PSAT Prep Book

AP Prep Book

Printing Paper (per

ream)

$7

15

$150

$1

850

$25

445

$11,125

445

$6,675

$15

$5

445
445
50

$850

$6,675
$6,675

$250

Printing Ink (per

cartridge)

$100

$500

Scholarships (95th
percentile)

$250

$1,000

Scholarships (96-98th
percentile)

$500

12

$6,000

Scholarships (99th
percentile)

$1,000

$4,000

TOTAL

$44,000

B. Subsidized Costs
One of the reasons that Project 2020 will be a very cost efficient program is because of the
generous donations from the following entities: Dell Incorporated, Dallas Independent School
District, and Education is Freedom.
Dell will be reducing the potential budget by nearly 15% by donating over $6,000 worth
of laptops for the students and instructors.

 Dallas Independent School District is partnering with Education is Freedom in an

initiative to support the success of Project 2020 by committing to provide snacks for the
students enrolled in the after school program.
C. Scholarships
Finally, the scholarships will be distributed to the top five percent of the enrolled class. The
scholarship amount will vary amongst this five percent depending on their performance. To
clarify, those students in the 95th percentile will be awarded $250, the students in the 96-98 th
percentile will receive $500, and the students that performed to the 99 th percentile will receive
$1,000. Based on the estimated class size, Project 2020 will be awarding 20 scholarships totaling
$11,000.

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References
Blackburn, H. Drew. "A Tale Of Two Schools: South Oak Cliff High and Highland Park Fund
Disparity." The Daily Post. Texas Monthly, 10 Dec. 2015. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.
"Compare SAT Specifications." SAT Suite of Assessments. The College Board, 27 Feb. 2015. Web. 26 Apr.
2016.

Dallas ISD Evaluation & Assessment. "2016 School Profile." South Oak Cliff High School (TEA
#16) (2015): 1-4. 22 Oct. 2015. Web. 26 Apr. 2016

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